“Oh, that sounds fabulous. Maybe when I’m down I can come see your store,” she asks.
“Of course, you’re more than welcome any time.”
“He could give you some fashion advice,” Charlie teases.
“No. Your mum looks gorgeous as she is,” I tell him.
“Thank you, sweetheart, but Charlie’s right, I need help. I have this gala coming up, and I need something show-stopping. It’s a Carnivale-themed event, and I want to find something elegant.”
“I love a theme. My mind is already racing. I have a few dresses that might work in store and some that I can pull from a designer.”
“Seriously, oh my goodness, this is exciting. Maybe I’ll come down earlier and we can have a shopping day, if it doesn’t interrupt with your work.”
“I can make time for you, I live for shopping,” I tell her.
She seems truly excited. “This is perfect. I need you to help style Everly, because I love that girl, but she is so casual, they are going to eat her alive in LA.”
“Her job revolves around her being in activewear, Mom.” Charlie sighs. This is obviously a conversation they have frequently.
“I know, but there has to be professional activewear. Derrick would know what I mean,” she states.
“I’m sure I could find it,” I reassure her.
“See,” she says, poking her tongue out at her son, which makes me laugh. “Now I know why you fell for him, that accent.”
“It’s one of many reasons why I fell in love with him,” Charlie says, kissing my cheek.
“Aww,” his mum gushes through the phone, “you two look so happy. I can’t wait for us all to catch up. Have fun at the wedding, wishing them many blessings, and let me know dates so I can make sure your dad is not in meetings.”
“Will do. Love you,” Charlie says, signing off.
“Love you too, sweetheart. Bye, Derrick.” I wave my farewell, and she disappears.
“She seems lovely.”
“Yeah, I got lucky when it came to parents. It’s been a rocky road between us all since Lyle’s passing and my accident, but I think we are slowly getting back to the way we were. Mom loves shopping, so the two of you are going to get on so well.” He smiles.
“I can’t wait,” I tell him as I link my arm with his and we walk to our cabin.
68
DERRICK
Tonight, Stacey and Oscar put on a gorgeous BBQ under the stars. Charlie couldn’t believe how dark it was in the bush and how many stars you could see. He said back in Midnight Falls, where it’s really dark at nighttime, you still get some light pollution, but here it’s as if light doesn’t exist.
“Chuck a shrimp on the barbie, Oscar,” Christian calls out to him.
“It’s called a prawn, you dickhead,” Oscar yells back, which has us all in hysterics.
“What’s a prawn?” Charlie asks me.
“It’s what you guys call shrimp. Not sure why you guys call it that or why we call it that. But our prawns are way bigger than yours.”
“Is that so?” Charlie quirks a brow at me.
Which makes me laugh, I lean in, “Don’t worry, babe. I know your cock is huge compared to mine, and I love it.”
“I love your cock, too. It’s perfect for me.” He smirks, leaning in and kissing me.
